The boy was in a group of children standing in a front yard after a fireworks show, WGN reported. He was struck in the chest and later died at a hospital.

Chicago police Superintendent Garry McCarthy later told reporters that the boy's father was the intended target of the shooting. McCarthy described him as a "ranking" gang member and added he was not cooperating with authorities.

Claudia Koerner is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in Los Angeles.